Death resulting from the cessation of "heroic measures", or undertaking a procedure of therapy that is associated with an element of daring, or boldness, taken in an attempt to save a patient's life so as to prolong a life.

The term "heroic measure", refers to an aggressive, daring procedure in a dangerously ill patient that, in itself may endanger the patient but also has a possibility of being successful; whereas, a lesser degree of efforts would inevitably result in failure.